The Nation Newspaper

Category: Happenstances

  • For Funke Adejumo, life begins at 50

    For Funke Adejumo, life begins at 50

    For Funke Felix-Adejumo, the beautiful wife of the founder of Agape Christian Ministries, Bishop Felix Adejumo, life truly begins at 50. Mummy Funke Adejumo, as she is fondly called, clocked 50 a couple of days ago and, as learnt, her husband and the entire family of Agape Christian Ministries did not spare anything to usher her into the golden age.

    Funke has stood beside her husband for more than two decades. Together, they have rekindled faith in the institution of marriage, standing as one its role models. The mother of three children is also a pastor at Agape, and she has juggled marriage, priesthood and motherhood well. She even sometimes breezes into town, making appearances at very important events. Funke and Felix are lucky to be rewarded with many things some have come to accept as elusive.

     

  • Socialites, celebrities gather for Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s 50th birthday

    Socialites, celebrities gather for Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s 50th birthday

    Leader of elite Lagos Church, House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, added another year to clock the golden age of 50 penultimate Friday. And the clergyman did not fail to show gratitude to his Creator as family and friends joined him for a thanksgiving service.

    In appreciation of their spiritual leader, members of House on the Rock also joined Adefarasin’s family and friends to engage in a horde of activities aimed at making the birthday a memorable one. These included a holy communion service held at the church’s cathedral and on the Lekki-Epe Expressway that Friday. There was also an exclusive dinner later in the day at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, as well as a thanksgiving service held at the church on Sunday January 27.

    Eyewitnesses said the birthday dinner was not an all-comers affair because it was style and class incorporated. The tables were said to have been tagged with colour codes, and right at the entrance was a board indicating the sitting arrangement vis-a-vis the guest list placed at the entrance. There were polite bouncers to keep off uninvited guests, just as courteous ushers stood guard to welcome those that were invited.

    The occasion was graced by eminent persons, including Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Segun Agbaje of Access and GT banks respectively; fashion designers Folake Akindele and Charles Toye; controversial businessman, Terry Waya; Central Bank top shot, Chike Moghalu; Guardian Newspapers boss, Maiden Ibru; oil magnate, Tonye Cole and his wife Sylva; musician Sammy Okposo; Koffi Sagoe; Yemi and Bimbo Cardoso; Ernest and Lizzy Ebi, among others.

  • About Dangote’s new addition

    About Dangote’s new addition

    Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s acclaimed wealthiest businessman, appears to be dashing ahead of his peers with the speed of light. The Kano-born business mogul recently consolidated his reputation as Africa’s richest man as he took delivery of a new yacht worth $23 million. The custom-made luxury yacht arrived in Nigeria a few days ago and currently sits in front of Femi Otedola’s Zenon Place on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Named Mariya, the yacht is a 2013 edition. His company, Dangote Group, has become a giant with sculptured physique and boundless energy. It enjoys the front seat in many sectors, and business experts say its assets can only be calculated with the aid of the most sophisticated adding machine. He was rated Africa’s richest man 2012 by Forbes magazine last year, with a net worth of $11.2 billion.

  • Gbemi Saraki charts fresh course

    Gbemi Saraki charts fresh course

    Senator Gbemi Saraki, the delectable daughter of the late godfather of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, is currently enjoying life to the fullest even though she is said to be missing her late father and confidant.

    She had recoiled into her shell after losing the 2011 governorship election. The election was said to have taken a lot out of her, but the affable young woman is also said to be content that she gave a good account of herself in the contest.

    While the campaigns lasted, she had made not a few enemies from those who at some point wanted her silenced. Family sources informed Happenstances that she has finally settled the political tiff between her and her elder brother and former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki. At the moment, the duo are said to be working together towards reviving their family bank.

    We gathered that the former Societe Generale Bank Nigeria (SGBN) owned by the late Olushola Saraki, which had its licence revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) some years ago, resumed operations last Tuesday with a new trade name, Heritage Bank. Happenstances gathered that the bank has already poached many of the top bankers in the industry from the existing banks.

  • Tony Elumelu joins golden club

    Tony Elumelu joins golden club

    The rank of successful men and women in the golden age of 50 appears to be swelling by the day. Tayo Ayeni, the famous brains behind Skymit Motors, and PR guru, Yomi Badejo Okunsanya, only recently celebrated their 50th birthday in grand style.

    Now, a former Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa and Chairman, Heirs Holdings Limited, Tony Elemelu, is set to make his entry as he clocks 50 in few weeks. The social pulse is beating more quickly because it promises to be a memorable occasion.

    Upon his retirement from the UBA as managing director, Elumelu founded Heir Holdings and Tony Elumelu Foundation in order to continue to contribute his quota to the economic transformation of the African continent. Both organisations have been working to encourage and positively impact on Africa’s business leaders and entrepreneurs, including business students and young entrepreneurs and CEOs of multinational companies.

  • Dimeji Bankole returns

    Dimeji Bankole returns

    Just when he appears to have permanently vanished from the minds of many, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, has staged a return to the social scene. Those who should know say Bankole is quietly putting structures in place to re-launch himself to political reckoning. They claim that he is still very close to key members of the House of Representatives.

    According to an inside source, the former speaker is staying put in Abuja because that is where things are really happening.

  • Where is Ade Dosunmu?

    Where is Ade Dosunmu?

    The million-naira question begging for answer in social circles at the moment is the whereabouts of Dr. Ade Dosunmu, the Lagos State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2011 general election. Since he was roundly defeated by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in the election, the man, who went to town in the pre-election period flaunting his purported unblemished record in public service and made a big issue of his doctoral degree, has vanished from the social radar.

    When Happenstances sought to know his whereabouts recently, those who had swum around him in the build-up to the election could only speculate. Some said he had gone into private business. Others who should know said he had simply resorted to lying low.

    Be it as it may, the fact remains that he is no longer visible on the social and political space. Since 2015 still appears to be far away, there are fears in Dosunmu’s camp that he may not be favoured with the party’s governorship ticket the second time.

  • Amos Adamu embraces 60 quietly

    Amos Adamu embraces 60 quietly

    Former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Amos Adamu, has not been visible in recent times. The last time he was in the news was when he was fingered in an alleged World Cup bribery scandal. After his public denial of the allegation as baseless, he was suspended as a member of the Technical Committee of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and he vanished from public glare.

    Even when he clocked 60 a few weeks ago, he made the celebration a low-key event. The event was held at his Haven event centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Happenstances gathered that only a few of his close associates attended the ceremony. They included the likes of Princess Bola Jegede, Mike Itemuagbor, Amaju Pinnick, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and a few others.

    From what was gathered from insiders, Adamu appears to have found greater comfort in his chain of private businesses and his home.

  • The return of Roli George

    The return of Roli George

    Roli, the beautiful wife of controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Olabode George, is back in her groove. The delectable former House of Representatives aspirant is again taking her place in the social firmament.

    The former friend of Pastor Chris Okotie had slowed her roll when her loving husband landed in the big mess concerning his role in the alleged multi-billion naira contract scam at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he held sway as the chairman a few years ago. This coupled with the uproar that greeted her appointment as a member of board of the National Population Commission (NPC) forced her to become a scarce commodity in the social arena.

    Today, her husband is back from prison into her warm embrace and she is one of the 23 commissioners appointed for NPC. She has cast away her gloomy attires for colorful ones that express her joyous mood. The former Ankara model has now re-entered the social scene she once bestrode like a colossus.

    Many who had gossiped about her in her trying moments are trying to worm themselves back into her embrace. How times change.

  • Otunba Lekan Osifeso plans mother of all parties

    Come Saturday December 22 , top socialite and executive Director of Bulletin Construction Company, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, will give his late father, mother and step-mother, Chief Oluwamuyiwa Adeyemo Osifeso, Mrs Olufadebo Osifeso and Mrs Olayinka Osifeso a befitting remembrance party and special prayer.

    Happenstances gathered that Chief Olumuyiwa Osifeso and his wives, who died many years ago, were enviable parents deserving of Lekan and siblings’decision to stage a special remembrance party and prayer for their departed souls.

    Lekan, also the Chairman of Lekai Construction Company, possesses the financial clout and influence needed to pull the creme-de-la-creme of high society to the event. As part of the bid to immortalise his parents, Lekan and family will launch a foundation in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. It was also gathered that in order to make the party a grand one, a committee has been constituted to make sure the A-list party goes according to plan.

    The committee members include the Chairman of Bulletin Construction, Chief Faysal Harb; Hon. Sade Bent; Chief Jide Odekunle; Alhaji Bashy Kuti; Hon. Leo Awoyemi; Gbenga Akinbobola and Shina Abiola Peller. Those who should know say the December 21 party will feature fuji music maestro, K-1 the Ultimate, on the bandstand while a popular comedian will anchor the event. After the church service, a reception party will follow at the Ijebu Ode township stadium.